Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello Tripawds,
My Mochi is 11 (12 in March). She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2023, surgery 9/12/2023 to amputate left hind leg. She went through 4 rounds of chemo. She is still doing great, which is amazing, still no lung mets, but lately is having more trouble getting up and falls over more. She had one instance about 6 months ago of what appeared to be a strained groin muscle. Perhaps she is continuing to strain muscles on her hind end or has back issues? She had an x-ray on Saturday because it seemed like the tendons around her knee were thickened. No apparent osteosarcoma in the remaining hind limb thank goodness. Any advice about rehab or help for her to remain mobile? We did get rimadyl to help her with pain management .
Any advice would be appreciated.
Patty and Mochi
Hi Patty and Mochi, welcome!
I'm sorry she's having some challenges right now, I know that's tough to watch. But you are asking great questions and we are here to help!
It's not uncommon for a Tripawd to have some mobility issues over time. That's why we always recommend that a Tripawd has an evaluation from a canine rehab therapist. They are masters at pinpointing where pain originates, and how to help resolve it. And Tripawds Foundation can even pay for your first rehab visit so you have nothing to lose! Let me know if you'd like help finding a practice.
You can try massaging her gently in shoulder and neck area to see if she's got any sensitive areas. Remember most dogs won't yelp unless pain is super bad so you can watch for other signs of pain like if you touch a spot and she suddenly looks back at you, or her breathing gets faster (watch her ribcage to check). But trying to pinpoint it yourself can be a guessing game and that's why seeing a therapist can really help get to the matter sooner.
Right now I would scale her activity way, way back so that she can recuperate from whatever is causing her current issues. If you have slippery floors, add traction to them right away. Look toward interactive brain games to keep her happy and engaged, and book that appointment for a therapist OK? Sooner is better. Make sure they have her medical records so they know you've done an awesome job with looking into this via xrays etc.
Thanks so much for the response. I phoned the oncologist to see if rehab would be appropriate for her situation, he will return to office next week. Luckily their clinic has rehab so if it's appropriate she can go there. I do have hardwood floors and have yoga mats all over, but I especially don't know what to do for the 2 steps up from laundry room to kitchen, any thoughts on footing on steps with slippery floors? The flooring in there is pretty slippery. I will scale back her activity a lot. she loves her walks though so it's hard. If I take my other dog she for sure wants to go! We typically go for 2 walks a day, flat, on sidewalks, about 1/2 hour each. Maybe too much? Once she is up she seems good but the getting up part is hard. She has interactive feeders and we do training every day for entertainment. But hard to think of things to do that won't make her overuse her leg...I'll delve into the resources here.
P+M
Hello and welcome to you and Mochi.
First off- congrats on kicking cancers A$$!!! Love to hear success stories.
My current Tripawd is a little Pug mix who lost a rear leg to a car accident 9.5 years ago, Elly just turned 10 at the end of December. We had no real mobility issues until about 2.5 years ago when Elly strained the iliopsoas muscle in her remaining leg/hip. Since a Tripawd can't 'rest' the injured leg recovery took quite a while, and of course we are also dealing with the challenges of an aging Tripawd.
We have added meds and supplements and changed her rehab vet prescribed exercise program over the past few years.
A summary of her supplements and meds that help with her mobility:
Krill oil. She has taken some type of fish oil since she was 4 years old.
Dasaquin with MSM. She has also been on dasaquin since she was 4.
Myos, a muscle building supplement. Prescribed 2.5 years ago by her rehab vet.
Adequan injections. Prescribed by her rehab vet 1.5 years ago.
In mid December she started on two Traditional Chinese Vet Meds (TCVMs) prescribed by her chiropractor vet:
Hindend Weakness and Di Gu Pi San. They help with joint pain, stiffness, inflammation and weakness.
I saw improvement after starting the myos and then the adequan. But to be honest I have seen the biggest improvement in her energy level and mobility in the last month since she started on the TCVMs. She is moving better now than she has in the past 2 years!
We continue with her home exercise program and I do think the chiropractic adjustments help her.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Always good feedback from Karen1
Karen, could you provide s link where to order that specific two herbs you mentioned?
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi Sally,
Both of the TCVMs were prescribed by one of Elly's vets. I don't know that you can get them without a prescription.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Patricia, how is Mochi today?
I especially don't know what to do for the 2 steps up from laundry room to kitchen, any thoughts on footing on steps with slippery floors? T
If Mochi doesn't already have a Ruffwear Flagline harness (or a Webmaster) I highly recommend getting one so you can help her on those slippery areas. The top handle on either harness is a life saver!
Also, consider Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips . They are another great tool for when you have to have a Tripawd on slippery floors.
If I take my other dog she for sure wants to go! We typically go for 2 walks a day, flat, on sidewalks, about 1/2 hour each. Maybe too muc
Ah! Yes, that's a pretty long walk. Even totally healed and fit Tripawds are usually best at a 10-15 minute walk, no more than 20 minutes. Shorter more frequent walks throughout the day are better than one or two long ones. And a dog stroller is always helpful, especially when you have more than one dog to get out and about.
Were you able to talk to your vet team?
I just saw this from your post:
but I especially don't know what to do for the 2 steps up from laundry room to kitchen, any thoughts on footing on steps with slippery floors? The flooring in there is pretty slippery.
Here is where stair treads can really help. A few years ago I had to replace our carpet with plank flooring for my dad's health, and that included one run of stairs that are 8 steps long. I purchased carpet stair treads and used carpet tape to attach them. They have been very durable and have not moved. Be careful- some stair treads are advertised as 'self adhesive' which I found meant they had a non-slip backing but they would still move depending on how they were walked on. Not safe for Tripawds or people! I also have carpeted stair treads attached to my run of tile stairs.
My rear amp Tripawd navigates the stairs with the stair treads just fine. As an added bonus it has been a visual assistance to me when I am going downstairs!
And a big second vote for strollers. I don't think you mentioned how big Mochi is but they make strollers for all size dogs now. I've been using strollers for my dogs for 19 years now for a variety of reasons- Tripawds, surgery recovery, arthritis and old age. My dogs are small- but there have been times when I'm pushing two in the stroller at once. These days we go up to a local lake 2 to 3 times a week and we hike 2.5 to 3.5 miles each time. My young quad Pug Mutt walks and runs the whole time and Tripawd Elly can still come with us and walk some of the time and ride the rest of the time.
You also might consider finder a more forgiving surface for walking Mochi. I try to avoid too much walking on hard surfaces, I have access to dirt trails and grassy areas that I think are easier on Elly when she is walking. There are also some asphalt pathways in one of our walking areas which are softer to walk on. Of course it depends on what areas you can access for walks.
How is Mochi now?
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Well, thanks so much for all your responses,
The radiologist report on Mochi's x-ray came back that they think it is ACL rupture. I have a consultation on Jan 31st but from what I'm reading about this type of injury it seems very bad, like it needs surgery, but I can't imagine that is possible or advisable on a rear tripawd with osteosarcoma history. I'm trying hard to remain hopeful that there is a rehab help for this but I'm very scared. She is walking around and even invited me for a roughhouse the other day (I didn't do it, obviously), I am significantly resting her with only minimal walks now, and blocked off sofa so she can't jump on it. Has anyone else had a rear leg tripod dog with ACL injury? Mochi is about 34 pounds. I am trying everything to help her footing. I'll get the carpet stair treads and more mats and rugs. One rug already arrived. Gosh I'm so worried. I'll look for dog stroller , I saw one in town the other day, pretty big dog with amputation. They said it works well. I hope there is some hope.
Oh dangit I'm sorry for that report. Don't panic yet OK? I know the 31st is a ways out but you can hang in there right? Of course you can! The specialty team should have a better idea. Are you seeing an ortho vet? If you're also not seeing a rehab therapist I would book an evaluation now so that they can give you their take. Surgeons and rehabbers often have differing approaches to this situation and it would be good to get all your information together to help you decide.
Did they give her any pain medication in the meantime?
Unfortunately cruciate tears are common in Tripawds. See our posts about remaining leg surgery in Tripawds for some backstory.
You are doing great, keep giving her the mobility help she needs and she will stay safe. And ask any questions you'd like, we are here for you.
Diest of all, CONGRATULATIONS to Mochi for almost a year and four months kicking butt and continuing on!! A Tripawd Warrior indeed!
As Jerry noted, an appointment with a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist. Yes, while it can be a "challenge" treating a rear legger with a cruciate is doable in several ways. Even IF surgery is the route, again, doable with a lot of mobility help for several weeks of recovery. IF...IF I recall.p correctly, a Lab named Murphy comes to mind as one who successfully, as did a dog named Max.
That said, even with a four legger often there are reasons surgery jist is not an option. A good RehabVet can make suggetions for a conservative. Qapproach other than surgery. I know sometimes braces or "sleeves" are suggested. Also scar tissue can form fairly quickly and that can actually help with stability. Of course, double check with a Vet.
Give that sweet Mochi some extra treats and kisses for u
Hug
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!s
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
She is getting rimadyl and gabapentin to help with inflammation and pain. She also takes cosequin and fish oil for years daily. Thanks for recommending to also make appointment with rehab, I was going to wait until after the first consultation appointment but called them to also get appointment with rehab (it's all one big clinic, her oncologist is there also). Good thing I did because their first available appointment at rehab is 2/13. So we are all lined up. I am trying to be optimistic. She is very happy still so there is that to be grateful for. I wanted to also add that I'm still walking her, just shorter time. Much of the time on walks they are stopped, sniffing, which I think is good for her to get that relaxation. Mostly it's just to go potty and back. But she is very particular about where she will go potty! She wants to be some distance from home. I do have the toenail grip things, which were on her back foot, but I took them off as I didn't see a huge difference and i was wondering if they were bothering her. I'll put them back on and maybe on all feet. I'm not sure how a harness will help her, does it work for rear leg amputees?
Thanks again for all your replies. They are so helpful.
I'm sorry you are dealing with this- we are always worried about an injury to a remaining limb!
I'm not sure how a harness will help her, does it work for rear leg amputees?
My rear amp Elly never leaves the house without her Ruffwear Webmaster harness , it has a handle on top. I help her in and out of the truck and I help her over and around obstacles when we are hiking, and it's how I get her in and out of one of her strollers.
My quad Pug Obie had each of his knees repaired. I used the webmaster harness on him while he was recovering each time. Since he was little I attached a leash to the back loop and was able to assist him walking without bending over. He would only pee by lifting his right leg so when he had his left knee repaired I ended up supporting his entire body weight with the harness/leash combination for the first week plus until he could do a little weight bearing.
Another popular harness here is the Ruffwear Flagline harness . My experience with this harness is that it is longer than the webmaster and so does not fit my small dogs as well as the webmaster. I do like that the Flagline has buckles on both sides, the webmaster only has buckles on one side so can be harder to put on depending on what leg the dog is missing.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi Patricia,
I'm so glad you made that appointment. Good job!
Keep in mind that the Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips should be applied with a dab of super glue so they stay on. Because a Tripawd has a unique gait, the grips can sometimes slip off without that extra step.
As Karen mentioned, yes, the harnesses do work on rear leggers. Mainly they help you help her. So when she needs support getting up, using stairs, (or holding her back to prevent her from chasing a squirrel or something), you can use the top handle to assist.
I'm glad she has some pain relief. Yes, she still needs that mental stimulation of getting out and about. A dog stroller can help her get out more, and interactive brain games are also something to try while you try to keep her activity low-key.
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